Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Speech 070919 PASHIP

 

Speech by the Australian High Commissioner at the official launch of the PNG Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program

19 September 2007; Port Moresby, PNG



Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It’s far from news that Papua New Guinea faces a significant problem with HIV and AIDS but apart from the people in the room this morning, how many realise the problem posed to PNG by sexually transmitted infections?

Preventing, diagnosing and treating STIs is a vital, important health objective in its own right as well as being a key strategy in reducing the spread of HIV.

I’m here today to launch the PNG Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program - a program established to respond to the urgent need to rapidly scale-up STI services in high risk areas.

The program will be delivered through a partnership of Australian non government organisations and PNG organisations and it is important here today we acknowledge the key players who will address the sexual health needs of Papua New Guineans.

The program’s success will hinge on using these organisations which are already on the ground and have the expertise and local knowledge to provide a more rapid response in the areas of most critical need.

The 5 NGOs delivering the program are: Anglican Board Mission, CARITAS, Save the Children Australia, Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia and the Burnett Institute.

PNG partner organisations include Anglicare StopAIDS, Anglican Health Services, Save the Children PNG, PNG Family Planning Association, HELP resources, Catholic Health Services, as well as Provincial Government and the National Department of Health.

All have an excellent track record in PNG and I am very pleased that the Australian Government is able to support their ongoing work. We are far from starting from scratch here.

This partnership between the NGOs and their local PNG partners provides the opportunity not only to address the specific needs of the people of Papua New Guinea but also, importantly, to build the capacity of the local organisations to continue the services beyond the life of the program.

After extensive consultation at the local, provincial and national level, the program will be delivered in eight provinces: East New Britain, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Oro, Simbu, Eastern Highlands, Morobe and Central.

To further complement their work the PNG Institute of Medical Research will conduct a research component to evaluate the impact of the program and provide valuable information for policy development at the national level and for implementation at the shopfront.

Over five years, Australia will provide approximately K50 million towards PASHIP. The services provided will complement existing government services while further strengthening support for PNG’s HIV/AIDS response.

The support also joins and complements the Australian Government’s wider-ranging support of the PNG Health Sector. PASHIP will have inevitable and positive links to other initiatives supported by the Australian Government, including AusAID’s HIV/AIDS program, ‘Sanap Wantaim’, support to the National Department of Health for the construction of 38 STI Clinics, and support to the Clinton Foundation to assist the Government of PNG to scale up access to care and treatment for people living with HIV.

I’d also like to mention that the Australian Government’s support of PASHIP is in line with both the PNG Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy and the National Strategic Plan for the PNG Health Sector in:

• improving access to basic health services;
• improving service delivery through strengthening policy development;
• working through partnerships including government, churches and other organisations; and
• addressing the rate of increase in STI and HIV.

The Australian Government is very pleased to be able to support this program and I wish all those here today every success in undertaking this important work.

 

His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, Australian High Commissioner